DANVILLE, Va. — Burlington Royals pitcher Zach Lovvorn digested only parts of what he viewed during the first game of Friday’s Appalachian League doubleheader at Dan Daniel Memorial Park.

Then he stuck to his own universe.

“For me, I try to stay in my little world,” Lovvorn said after his six stellar innings helped the Royals win 2-0 and salvage a split.

Danville rolled to a 10-3 romp in the opener, matching its season high with 16 hits.

“I knew that the mood around here would be down after that (first game),” Lovvorn said. “Stay away and keep good vibes.”

Lovvorn helped the Royals’ mood perk up, restoring order for Burlington (17-18) in the second seven-inning game by combining with Andrew Edwards for a three-hitter.

“That’s a pretty good split when you lose that first game 10-3,” Royals manager Tommy Shields said. “Lovvorn was sharp and we got just enough offense.”

The second-game runs came on a pair of run-scoring hits from Burlington players who’ve struggled at the plate.

Lovvorn, a 19-year-old right-hander, was doing his thing in keeping Danville (17-16) in check before Edwards pitched a scoreless seventh to complete Burlington’s third shutout of the season.

“From watching that first game, I took some mental notes,” Lovvorn said. “(Catcher Chad Johnson and I) were on the same page.”

Johnson and Lovvorn headed to the bullpen to warm well in advance of the start of Game 2. “We both were antsy and ready,” Lovvorn said.

Danville lead-off batter Connor Lien’s two-out single in the fifth inning broke up Lovvorn’s no-hit bid. Jacob Schrader added a single in the sixth and Edwards gave up a seventh-inning single.

Lovvorn nearly lost the no-hitter with one out in the fourth when Burlington right fielder Jerrell Allen misplayed Carlos Sanchez’s routine-looking fly ball. It was initially ruled a single, then a scoring change to an error was made in the next half-inning.

“As long as there’s a zero for runs, I’m OK,” Lovvorn said.

Danville manager Jonathan Schuerholz said: “Sweeping a doubleheader is a tough thing to do. Hats off to their pitcher. He did a good job of keeping the ball down in the zone … and righted the ship for them.”

Desmond Henry, who played in only one game during the previous week, drove in the game’s first run with a third-inning single.

“I was pumped to be in there and taking quality (batting practice),” Henry said. “I was thinking about driving that ball hard and going up the middle.”

Johnson’s two-out, fourth-inning liner to right field drove in Tyler Chism with Burlington’s second run.

Henry and Johnson entered the game with a combined 10 RBI in more than 130 at-bats.

Page 2 of 2 - Tyler Brosius, a former North Carolina State backup quarterback, retired five of the six batters he faced in relief for Danville. It was his second appearance for the team after six outings with Atlanta’s Gulf Coast League affiliate.

In the opener, Danville second baseman Mikey Reynolds had his first four-hit game as a pro to go with four RBI.

The Royals wasted Alfredo Escalera’s double to begin the game. Burlington’s Sam Bates, who’s among the league’s RBI leaders, didn’t convert with a runner at third base with one out in the first and third innings.

Danville was more efficient, going ahead with a three-run fourth capped by Alejandro Piloto’s two-out, two-run single. Cesar Ogando (0-3) took the loss.

Ryan Gunther, who was an Elon University pitcher prior to transferring, pitched a scoreless seventh for Danville.

The twinbill marked the first matchups of the season between teams, who’ll meet nine more times across the next three weeks (including tonight in Danville and Sunday night in Burlington).